I am here in Fallujah and I bet I AM safer than if I was in Columbus on the 18th.There are a few Buckeye fans in the Battalion so I will not take off my flak & kevlar the whole day!

So we here at the MZone are proud to present Wolver-Marine with the MZone Comment of the Week. And it's certainly a candidate for Comment of the Year.

Wolver-Marine, if you get a chance, send us some pictures of you and the Buckeye (or other college football) fans in the batallion. We'll post them right away. And get back safely so you can watch the Wolverines at a decent hour.

After so many OSU and UM fans have been killed in combat over there fighting for no good cause, I think it's in very poor taste to try to compare any city in the US to Iraq. We read about that OSU guy that recently died over there and this guy jokes about wearing kevlar because of buckeye soldiers? sorry but i call bull shit and this guy is an ass for saying that.

This young Marine was clearly making a joke about the intensity about the M/OSU rivalry. He was poking fun at his fellow marines from Ohio - clearly (at least to me) he is not afraid of them hurting him.

They live in Whitehall, just outside of Columbus, their son Adam was based out of Columbus, and unfortunately, Adam was killed in Iraq. Again comparing Columbus, Ann Arbor or any other city to Iraq is stupid and insensitive.

The fact that he was "joking" doesn't excuse him from making comments like that.

Looks like most of you “got it” and for those that left them, I thank you for your kind words of support.

Anonymous; my comments were totally intended as a tongue-in-cheek poke at OSU fans. 2839 Americans have died here in Iraq. Buckeye fans in Columbus have acted raucously and often times offensively towards visiting fans. I regret both facts but do not connect the two issues.

Believe me, I would much rather even be in Columbus than here.

Andy definitely remembers what it is like in the military. Stateside athletics provide a huge distraction to the daily grind and affiliating yourself with a particular team is as much to express your geographical background as anything else. There is no doubt that regardless of fan affiliation, the Marines near me would risk their own safety to ensure mine. I know this because I would do the same.

This is my third consecutive September – March Iraq tour. I have missed most games during these seasons completely. I have mostly followed Michigan’s progress through irregular internet access to Blogs such as this one and clipped newspaper accounts from family members back home. I may not remember precisely every score or final ranking over this time period but I know unequivocally that I have been to the memorial service of no less than 5 dear friends. I mention this not for sympathy or support. I state this only to serve as my qualification to make a joke satirizing Columbus via-a-vis Fallujah.

I conclude by pointing out that while at the chow hall tonight, my OSU fan “brothers” laughed when I told them about my post. They are not visitors to the MZone and I will never mention to them that someone at that site (anonymously) suggested that they serve “no good cause.”

We got it and wish each and every one of you a safe and speedy return.

And again, send a pic of you and your battalion, we'll put it up. Even better - get the Bucks in your battalion if they have any OSU gear along with the UM guys with theirs (as if you don't have bigger worries, I know).

Wolver-Marine---Great to hear your "voice" here on line and to learn that while serving in a very difficult situation for a myriad of reasons you still have a sense of humor.It's humbling as I sit here blogging safely in A2......

I'm proud of our country--especially after yesterday. I mean, where else in the world can millions of people go to the polls, express their opinions and have the balance of power shift WITHOUT violence?????People are losing their lives all over the world in search of this gift of freedom, choice, and voice.

SO---dear Sir. Keep your head down and your kevlar on. Thanks for your service and dedication. I hope we all can get you home ASAP.

Your political motives are clear. But... before you start insulting my Marine Corps and making assumptions about families with lost kids you need to recognize (as everyone else here has) that there is no politics or ill-intent with his initial comment.

He was joking about the intensity of the football rivalry -- not about the Knox family or the reason he is there.

How bout this... Walk 20 miles a day with a loaded weapon. Spend the night sleeping in an uncomfortable hole you dug a few hours earlier in a country filled with people that would just as soon kill you as shake your hand. Eat freeze-dried food designed to stop you from shitting more than once a week. Bury a couple of good friends and watch their wives/kids wander around at the wake in stunned silence...then you will think twice about casually and anonymously calling a Marine an "ass" and attempting to defend it with some lame political view or rivaly perspective.

I'm no expert in matters like this, but I'm pretty damn sure Wolver-Marine has earned the right to compare the shit-storm he is in over there (trying to bring freedom to an oppressed people in the face of the enemy) to any damn thing he wants.Frankly, I glad you can muster up the ability to find solice in sports and in a great college rivalry to take your minds off your tenuous situation, home-sickness, and sorrow for fallen comrades. Tell every servicemen you see to keep up the phenomenal work you guys are doing and know I for one appreciate more than words can describe the sacrifices you're making by being over there.Godspeed - and tell any Gamecock fans you see to count on the Tigers losing this year in the Valley.

I served in 1st Battalion, 24th Regiment in the first gulf war. Their motto is "Terror from the North", but inside the family it was always, "Error from the North". Headquartered in Detroit, it's three line companies were from Michigan, but the weapons company was from Toledo. Of all the Officers and men there, I may have been the only Buckeye alum, and I don't remember any bonafide wolverines. I also have no recollection of that football season. We were busy doing other things, as I'm sure these lads most often are.

I am honored that I was awarded the MZone comment of the week but I am glad that this post has ran it's course. I hated where it was going.

You guys run a great Michigan football blog and for that - I salute YOU. It is better than mail call. I know that when I get an opportunity to access the web there will always be something fresh at the MZone. Due to a lack of bandwidth, I rarely get to see the videos and only usually the photos but I love the written content. Everyone at MZone has been thanking me for my service but beleive me, your little website improves morale. Your service is not unnoticed either.

I will try and get some photos of the football fans over here and send them along.

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